Methods for multi-sensory virtual golf instruction

ABSTRACT

A method and devices are disclosed for instructing students in a physical skill and allowing students to experience specific physical movements involved in a sport or physical skill. The method, program and system comprise instructions, stories, structured activities, games, mechanical figures, and devices which synergistically engage the student&#39;s kinesthetic learning facilities. Stimulation of these learning facilities is achieved by engagement in multi-sensory interaction, simulation of physical movements, demonstration of the underlying physics of the movements, interaction with structured activities and games. Educational devices using process-oriented methods are disclosed to engage multiple learning styles in the process of instruction of a sport or physical skill. These devices may include visual, manipulative, and computer-adapted models designed to allow visual, auditory, kinesthetic learners to learn and experience the sport or physical movement. Further, this invention allows motion-impaired individuals a unique opportunity to experience a sport at a kinesthetic level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/815,754 filed on 23 Jun. 2006 and fully incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and apparatus to provide instructionin the game of golf. More particularly, this invention relates tomethods and processes which utilize models to emulate motions andphysical environments encountered in and about golf courses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently there exist many devices to help users learn and improve theirgolf skills. All of the existing devices require that the user bemechanically functional as they require the user to mechanically and orelectrically interact with devices that emulate the physical motions ofa golf swing, or conditions on the golf course. US 2007/0093307 to vanOnlangs et al. discloses a system and device for practicing andimproving on one's golf swing; US 2005/0124434 to MacDonald discloses amethod of improving and teaching a golf swing; US 2004/0014531 to Eganet al. disclose a method of improving a user's golf swing by the aid ofelectromechanical devices. In order to practice the van Onlangsinvention, the MacDonald invention, or the Egan invention, theindividual being taught must be physically able to execute the motionsof the game of golf, a requirement not present in the current invention.Thus, this invention is ideal for physically challenged individuals andfor individuals who are unable to easily access a golf course andmechanical devices designed to simulate the environment in a golfcourse.

This invention is designed to provide an opportunity for all individualsto experience the game of golf. In the past, many individuals have beenexcluded from experiencing the game of golf, often due to physical orfinancial restrictions. Traditional golf instruction often involves ahuman or human-like form demonstrating a motion using words, pictures,images, or devices with the goal that the student be able to mimic thismotion. Another method for golf instruction was to attach a device tothe student's body or provide a device that interacts with the student'sbody while the student physically executes the motion. These traditionalmethods of instruction do not work when the student is unable tophysically perform certain motions (for example, students with physicalhandicaps), or is uncomfortable with human contact (for example,autistic students), or does not have easy access to a facility tophysically play the sport. This invention provides an opportunity forall users to experience playing the game of golf without the need forphysical contact, without the need for the physical ability to performthe movement, or without access to a golf course or golf clubs. Bycreating the golf course and manipulating the models included in thisinvention, this invention allows users to physically experience the gameof golf.

Golf is a demanding sport which traditionally requires significantamounts of training, knowledge and skill. Therefore, another advantageof this invention is that it allows the traditional learner to enrichand supplement their traditional golf instructional program by providinginformation on the rationales and physics behind the design of golfequipment, the physics and mechanics of the motions required to play thegame of golf, the interaction between the student and the golf courseand the semantics and protocol of the game of golf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method and devices disclosed herein comprise instructions, stories,structured activities, games, and mechanical figures whichsynergistically engage the student's kinesthetic learning facilities bymulti-sensory interaction, simulation of physical movements,demonstrating the underlying physics of the movements, engaging andinteracting with the student with structured activities and games.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—Interactive devices designed to instruct the user in golf clubloft, lie and length

FIG. 2—Interactive devices designed to instruct the user in properputting motion and the concept of one piece motion

FIG. 3—Interactive devices designed to instruct the user in the motionof the putting device and the differential effect on arc creation withvarying lateral weight distribution

FIG. 4—Interactive devices designed to provide instruction to the useron proper upper body posture, stance, shoulder and arm posture

FIG. 5—Interactive devices designed to provide instruction to the userabout proper body positioning when using different types of clubs (e.g.,woods, irons)

FIG. 6—Interactive devices designed to instruct the user in proper upperbody, spine and shoulder positioning

FIG. 7—Interactive activity designed to instruct the user in theaesthetics and features of a golf course

FIG. 8—Interactive activity designed to instruct the user in themechanics of the greens

FIG. 9—Interactive instructional game designed to teach golf vocabulary

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment of the invention, the user is provided with printedmaterial, including stories, text, games and articulating devicesprovided on printed materials.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the user, after being provided withinstructions, takes the golf extension shaft extension handle 1 andaligns it with the golf club shaft insertion line 3. Golf club headattachment 4 is affixed to the golf club head 2 and the golf club axisof rotation and line of attachment 6 is aligned with the axis ofrotation of the golf club head 2. The golf club head attachment 4 isvariably positioned with respect to the axis of rotation of the golfclub head 2 to demonstrate golf club loft and lie.

Referring now to FIG. 2, after being provided with instructions, theuser aligns the physical demonstration upper model point of attachmentto golf club 9 to the physical demonstration upper model 11 and securedto allow the golf club to rotate. The mechanism to allow lateraltranslation of physical demonstration upper model 14 is aligned with thechannel to allow lateral translation of physical demonstration uppermodel 13 on the physical demonstration model base 12 and with thephysical demonstration upper model point of attachment upper body tobase 8

Referring now to FIG. 3, after being provided with instructions, theuser aligns the mechanism to provide lateral translation of physicaldemonstration upper demonstration model 18 with the physicaldemonstration upper model point of attachment upper body to base 15 andmanipulates the model to engage the model in lateral motion 19. The golfclub point of attachment to physical demonstration upper model 16 isaligned with the physical demonstration model base 17. The usersimulates movement of golf club 20 and causes the golf club head 21 tomove along the golf club lines of movement 22.

Referring now to FIG. 4, after being provided with instructions, theuser aligns the upper golf posture shoulder and spine positioning pointof attachment 24 with the upper golf posture shoulder and spinepositioning model point of attachment with lower body 27. The wood-typeposture and shoulder alignment model is assembled by aligning the uppergolf posture shoulder and spine positioning model shoulder point ofattachment 25 with the shoulder point of attachment with the upper golfposture shoulder and spine positioning model 28, The upper golf postureshoulder and spine positioning model point of attachment with lower body27 is aligned with the lower body positioning point of attachment 30.

Referring now to FIG. 5, after being provided with instructions, theuser assembles the models which demonstrate the difference in theposture line of alignment for wood-type golf club 35 and the postureline of alignment for iron-type golf club 31, the differing distancesbetween stance and wood type golf club 37 which is greater than thedistance between stance and iron type golf club 33, and the fact thatthe golf ball 34 will be partially visible above the golf club head on awood-type golf club.

Referring now to FIG. 6, after being provided with instructions, theuser 39 manipulates the shoulder to upper golf posture shoulder andspine positioning model demonstrating improper arm positioning, arm tooclose to body 38 and manipulates the shoulder to display the upper golfposture shoulder and spine positioning model demonstrating improper armpositioning, arm too far away from body 41 and to display the upper golfposture shoulder and spine positioning model demonstrating propershoulder positioning 40.

Referring now to FIG. 7, after being provided with instructions, theuser places various components, such as golf course hole segments 43,golf course hazards 44, golf course landscaping 45 and golf course holes46 on the model golf course base 42 to design a golf course. After thegolf course is designed, students can play rounds of golf on this courseand keep score on a scorecard 47.

Referring now to FIG. 8, after being provided with instructions, theuser places various elements on a golf course green area and uses thisstructure to play a game of golf. These various elements comprise: a teebox 48, a student model with eyes to track the ball 49, ball lines(connecting lines from ball to hole) 54, a golf pin with optional flag50, a golf hole 51, a golf course green 52, and a golf course apron 53

Referring now to FIG. 9, after being provided with instructions, theuser can use game elements provided with text, pictures or pictographsto both engage in a game and simultaneously learn the vocabulary andscoring rules of the game of golf. These game elements comprise: aplaying piece demonstrating golf scoring term “hole-in-one” 55, aplaying piece demonstrating golf scoring term “birdie” 56, a playingpiece demonstrating golf scoring term “par” 57, a playing piecedemonstrating golf scoring term “bogey” 58, playing piece demonstratinggolf scoring term “double bogey” 59, and a playing piece allowingstudent to engage in scoring of game 60.

This invention facilitates instruction of a sport or physical movementby providing and utilizing devices to engage students of all learningstyles, visual learners, auditory learners and tactile/kinestheticlearners, Visual and auditory learners obtain information through theirvisual and auditory senses. Tactile/kinesthetic learns learners throughmoving, doing and touching. This invention provides an opportunity forall students to learn, experience and understand the physics andmechanics behind the equipment by using articulated devices, including,but not limited to the devices illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. Students canlearn, experience and understand the game by using equipment appropriatefor each area of the golf course and motions appropriate for eachportion of the golf course and conditions while utilizing the devicesthat allow them to learn and experience scoring of the game.

Specific physical movements are demonstrated and skills are taught withthe aid of devices represented in FIGS. 1-9. For example, the devicesillustrated in FIG. 2 demonstrate the use of a “one piece motion,” whichis when the physical demonstration upper model moves in a “one piecemotion,” this causes all of the body parts below this point also move.The devices illustrated in FIG. 2 also illustrates that the largemuscles of the shoulders (not the hands) direct the muscle of the golfclub. The devices illustrated in FIG. 3 demonstrate the effect of weightshift lateral movement, the creation of multiple lateral arcs, when thedesired effect is the creation of a single arc. The devices illustratedin FIG. 4 demonstrate an element of proper golf posture, ensuring thatthe hands aligned with and below the shoulders. The devices illustratedin FIG. 5 demonstrate the difference in body posture required to usewood clubs and iron clubs. The longer length of the wood club relativeto an iron club dictates that the body be held in a more uprightposture, dictates a longer ground distance between the player and theball, and dictates a higher tee height, or distance from tee'd up ballto the ground.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes acomputer or other electronic device to performed above, utilizingcomputer models and virtual devices to enable the instruction disclosedabove.

Another alternative embodiment would be to utilize three-dimensionalmodels articulated to engage in specific physical movements involved ina sport. A student could activate a mechanical or electrical means tocontrol the motion of the model and participate in the sport.

An additional alternative would be to use this same method in theteaching of another sport. For example, it would be possible toexperience the sport of rhythmic gymnastics by describing physics andmechanics behind the design of the various pieces of equipment, anddescribing the physics and mechanics behind the interaction of the humanwith the equipment and providing the user an opportunity to choreographa routine or providing an opportunity for physically challengedindividuals to experience the movements of the sport.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides numerousadvantages not found in the prior art. For example, the presentinvention provides the ability for physically challenged individuals toengage and receive instruction in the game of golf, and providesopportunities for individuals unable to access traditional golf courseinstructional materials and golf courses, to experience playing a gameof golf.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withrespect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Forexample, all the interactions can be performed via a computer or otherelectronic devices. Therefore, the disclosure of methods and devices asset forth above are exemplary and not in a limiting sense.

1) A method of instructing students in the game of golf comprising:utilizing one or more articulated, mechanical representations providedwith one or more points of attachment and one or more points ofmovement; one or more mechanical representations connected at one ormore axes of rotation which when rotated simulate the mechanical motionsrequired to enable the directed motion of a golf ball using a golf club;and further configurable to be used in conjunction with one or morerepresentations of structures designed to simulate the environment of agolf course, and instructional materials designed to facilitateinstruction of semantics or rules of play. 2) The method of claim 1,wherein the one or more articulated mechanical representation comprisesa golf club head and a structural element attached to the mechanicalrepresentation of the golf club head wherein the combination can bemanipulated to demonstrate the properties of loft and lie of a golf clubhead. 3) The method of claim 1, wherein the mechanical representationsconnected at one or more axes of rotation comprise a firstrepresentation of an upper torso portion connected with the secondrepresentation comprising body portion at the midsection and a thirdrepresentation comprising a pair of hands connected to a golf clubwherein the connection between the first representation and the secondrepresentation is a fixed connection and the connection between thethird representation and the second representation is an articulatedconnection and designed to be articulated in a rotating motion. 4) Themethod of claim 3, wherein the first mechanical representation isconnected to a fixed point of attachment which provides an articulationpoint which provides for horizontal motion of the first mechanicalrepresentation through the fixed point of attachment. 5) The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first mechanical representation is a representationof an upper torso portion connected to a fixed point of attachment whichprovides an articulation point which provides for horizontal motion ofthe first mechanical representation through the fixed point ofattachment. 6) The method of claim 1, wherein the first mechanicalrepresentation is a representation of an upper torso and head configuredwith a golf club and the second mechanical representation is arepresentation of a lower torso and legs with a point of attachmentabout the midline or waistline of the torso of both the first mechanicalrepresentation and the second mechanical representation; the firstmechanical representation designed to articulate in a rotational motionabout the point of attachment at the waistline and positioned todemonstrate proper alignment. 7) The method of claim 6, wherein thefirst mechanical representation is provided with an additional point ofattachment in the vicinity of the shoulder and further comprising athird mechanical representation which represents an arm; the thirdmechanical representation designed to be attached to the firstmechanical representation about the representation of the shoulder; saidthird mechanical representation rotatable around the point of attachmentand positionable to demonstrate proper alignment. 8) The method of claim6 wherein the golf club is a type of golf club known as a wood and themechanical representation is designed to articulate in a rotationalmotion about the waistline and positionable to demonstrate properalignment and swing when using a wood type golf club. 9) The method ofclaim 6 wherein the golf club is a type of golf club known as an ironand the mechanical representation is designed to articulate in arotational motion about the waistline and positionable to demonstrateproper alignment and swing when using an iron type golf club. 10) Themethod of claim 1 wherein the one or more representations of structuresdesigned to simulate the environment of a golf course comprise astructure representing a golf course and one or more structuresrepresenting hazards or aesthetic features of a golf course wherein thestructures representing hazards or aesthetic features of the golf courseare user-configurable. 11) The method of claim 1, wherein theinstructional materials designed to facilitate instruction comprise ascorecard. 12) The method of claim 10, wherein the instructionalmaterials designed to faceplate instruction further comprises ascorecard. 13) The method of claim 1, wherein the instructionalmaterials designed to facilitate instruction comprise a set of cards,wherein the cards contain instructional materials designed to instructthe student in the meaning of the terms “hole-in-one,” “birdie,” “par,”“bogey,” and “double bogey.” 14) The method of claim 13 wherein theinstructional material designed to facilitate instruction furthercomprises a scorecard. 15) A computer-implemented method on providinginstruction on the game of golf, the computer-implemented methodcomprising: allowing at least one user to select a manipulativecharacter or structure operable on a user device of said user; andtransmitting at least one manipulative character to said user device,wherein said manipulative character is adapted to move based on input bysaid user using said user device. 16) The method of claim 1 wherein therotations are performed one of manually, by a prompt and responseprogram, and automatically. 17) The method of claim 1, wherein theinstructional materials comprises verbal instructions. 18) The method ofclaim 1, wherein the instructional materials comprises textualinstructions. 19) The method of claim 1, wherein the instructionalmaterials comprises pictographs. 20) The method of claim 1, wherein theinstructional materials comprises verbal instructions, and textualinstructions, and pictographs.